February 13, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that two-way superstar
Shohei Ohtani could pitch in a Cactus League game in spring training, and that it's "still in the air," according to Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation. Ohtani was recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had in September of 2023 and didn't make his season debut as a pitcher for the Dodgers until mid-June of 2025. The 31-year-old Japanese hurler ended up making 14 regular-season starts (47 innings) and posted a strong 2.87 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and only nine walks. His workload was expanded in the postseason, and although he might be babied this spring as a pitcher, he's fully expected to be part of the Opening Day starting rotation as a pitcher. Ohtani's fantasy ceiling is much higher as a hitter, but he's not too shabby as a pitcher either, and is RotoBaller's No. 32 starting pitcher in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: Dodgers Nation - Doug McKain
February 13, 2026
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator
David Blough said that he wants wide receiver
Terry McLaurin to get at least 10 targets per game. "This thing's going to be built around how do we get Terry 10 targets a game and get him explosive receptions after explosive receptions to kind of flip the field," Blough told WUSA9's John Doran. That's an aggressive goal to set, especially when stated publicly. McLaurin averaged just six targets per game in 2025, albeit with an inconsistent quarterback mix of
Jayden Daniels,
Marcus Mariota, and
Josh Johnson. Furthermore, he posted double-digit targets just once: in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos, with Mariota as his quarterback. Daniels is due back from an elbow injury in time for the 2026 season opener, which is a good sign for McLaurin's volume. The 30-year-old receiver averaged 11.4 full-PPR points per game last season and should rank as a mid-to-high WR2 ahead of 2026 fantasy football drafts.
--Andersen PickardSource: John Doran
February 13, 2026
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that starting pitcher
Rhett Lowder "pitches like a vet," according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19. "It's very obvious," Francona added. "It jumps out. He knows what he's doing." That's high praise for the 23-year-old amid competition for the fifth starter spot in the Reds' rotation. Lowder pitched just 9.1 innings in the minors last season due to a right forearm strain and left oblique strain. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2024, when he tossed 30.2 innings across six starts. During his limited taste of action as a rookie, he posted a 1.17 ERA and 3.10 FIP with 6.46 K/9, 4.11 BB/9, and no home runs.
Chase Burns is the early favorite to make Cincinnati's rotation, but Lowder,
Chase Petty, and
Brandon Williamson (elbow) are also heavily in the mix as spring camp gets underway.
--Andersen PickardSource: Charlie Goldsmith
February 13, 2026
Free-agent outfielder
Chris Taylor re-signed with the Los Angeles Angels on Friday on a minor-league deal and is present at major-league spring training, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Taylor should have a decent shot at winning an Opening Day roster spot, but in a bench role. The 35-year-old veteran right-handed hitter will give the Halos the flexibility to play all over the diamond, but he doesn't appear to have much left in the tank after hitting a combined .186/.256/.301 with a career-worst .557 OPS, two home runs, 12 RBI, five walks, and 42 strikeouts in 125 plate appearances over 58 games with the Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers last year. Taylor hit .179 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 90 plate appearances in Anaheim in 2025. He has a career 29.3% strikeout rate and will be well off the fantasy radar in mixed leagues in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
February 13, 2026
Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said "there is hope" that shortstop
Ha-Seong Kim (right middle finger) will be able to return by early May. The middle infielder underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger nearly four weeks ago. He reportedly suffered the injury after slipping on ice and falling. Splitting 2025 between the Rays and Braves, he slashed .234/.304/.345 with five home runs, six stolen bases, an 8.4% walk rate, a 20.4% strikeout rate, and 82 wRC+. He mostly played at shortstop, but he also made five appearances at second base. In total, he posted -3 OAA and -1 FRV in the infield. Upon his return, he'll offer a solid bench bat behind middle infielders
Ozzie Albies and
Mauricio Dubon.
--Andersen PickardSource: Mark Bowman
February 13, 2026
Across 15 games in 2025, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Jauan Jennings recorded 55 receptions for 643 yards and nine touchdowns on 90 targets. With 49ers wideout
Brandon Aiyuk (knee) sidelined for the entirety of 2025 by a knee injury, Jennings emerged as the team's WR1. The 28-year-old is now set to hit unrestricted free agency, but 49ers' general manager John Lynch recently expressed public interest in signing Jennings to a new contract. If Jennings does indeed re-sign with San Francisco, he could see an even greater role in the team's passing game in 2026. San Francisco lost star tight end
George Kittle (Achilles) to a torn Achilles in the NFC Wild Card Round in early January, which means Kittle could miss a sizable chunk of the 2026 season. Additionally, 49ers WR2
Ricky Pearsall has had major difficulty staying on the field to this point in his NFL career, playing in just 20 games across his first two professional seasons. Jennings may not carry elite fantasy upside, but he's solidified himself as a reliable producer over the last two seasons in San Francisco.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 13, 2026
A third-round selection out of the University of Iowa in the 2025 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kaleb Johnson appeared to have an opportunity to play a significant role in his team's backfield as a rookie. Instead, the 22-year-old spent the 2025 season buried on the Steelers' depth chart and barely got a chance to take the field. Across 10 games played, Johnson recorded just 78 yards from scrimmage on 29 touches. Veteran Pittsburgh running backs
Jaylen Warren and
Kenneth Gainwell dominated the team's backfield work throughout the year, as each back topped 180 touches and 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Gainwell is set to hit unrestricted free agency this spring, which could eliminate one obstacle from Johnson's pathway to playing time. However, even if the Steelers do not bring Gainwell back, Johnson did little as a rookie to convince Pittsburgh that it should not bring in another veteran to complement Warren in 2026. Johnson is still very young, and he could work his way back into the team's plans with a full offseason of development. However, his fantasy stock in dynasty formats has taken a major hit after his underwhelming rookie campaign.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 13, 2026
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher
Patrick Sandoval (elbow) threw a live bullpen session on Friday, according to a video posted by Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Sandoval is heading into the second year of a two-year deal with the Red Sox that allowed him to rehab from Tommy John surgery with the organization. He hasn't pitched since 2024 with the Angels, but he's competing for the fifth spot in the Red Sox' rotation as camp gets underway. Across 16 starts in 2024, he went 2-8 with a 3.87 FIP, 9.15 K/9, 3.95 BB/9, and a 45% ground ball rate. Sandoval is on the 40-man roster, but the same can be said about other pitchers competing for rotation spots, including
Johan Oviedo and
Connelly Early.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jen McCaffrey
February 13, 2026
Buffalo Bills running back
James Cook solidified himself as one of the NFL's best running backs in 2025, racking up 1,621 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 309 carries across 17 games. The 26-year-old also impacted the game as a receiver, hauling in 33 receptions for 291 yards and two scores. Cook III has always been an efficient player, but he was able to reach new production heights in 2025 thanks to an increase in workload. After logging 239 touches across 16 games played in 2024, Cook III recorded 342 touches in 2025 and still averaged a highly efficient 5.6 yards per touch. Cook III signed a four-year extension with Buffalo before the start of the 2025 season, so he's locked in as the team's lead rusher for the foreseeable future. The Bills also promoted former offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach, so it seems unlikely that the team would radically shift its offensive approach going forward. Now that he's proven he can handle a significant workload, Cook III profiles as a high-end running back option for fantasy managers in dynasty formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 13, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher
Adrian Del Castillo (left calf) "has been off to the side" and is absent from several catching drills as spring training gets underway, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. The 26-year-old is dealing with a left calf issue and will be delayed in his return to drills. Manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that Del Castillo will resume catching once he's healthy, as the team isn't considering a position switch for the young backstop. He spent 28 games at designated hitter and five at catcher last year, posting 0.2 FRM and 1 FRV behind the dish at the big league level in 2025. Holding the bat in his hands, he slashed .242/.290/.392 with four home runs, a 6.1% walk rate, a 35.9% strikeout rate, and 87 wRC+. Del Castillo is not a lock to make the 26-man roster, since the Snakes already have
Gabriel Moreno and
James McCann atop their depth chart.
--Andersen PickardSource: Alex Weiner
February 13, 2026
Heading into the 2025 season, San Francisco 49ers tight end
Jake Tonges had not recorded a single catch across 20 career NFL games. However, the 26-year-old took advantage of his opportunity in San Francisco, recording 34 receptions for 293 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games played. The majority of Tonges' production came in a five-week stretch from Weeks 2 through 6 when star 49ers tight end
George Kittle (Achilles) was sidelined by a hamstring injury. In that span, Tonges hauled in 22 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns on 31 targets. However, Tonges may see a similar opportunity in 2026, as Kittle suffered a torn Achilles tendon in San Francisco's NFC Wild Card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles and is expected to miss time next season. Tonges is set to hit restricted free agency this spring, but it seems likely that the 49ers prioritize bringing him back, given Kittle's injury situation. In dynasty formats, Tonges may be a tight end to target for his chance at 2026 production and the possibility that he could be the long-term successor to Kittle in San Francisco.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 13, 2026
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher
Brayan Bello has been throwing a curveball as spring training gets underway, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Bello threw five curveballs back in 2022, but he hasn't used the pitch since then. Now, it's back in his arsenal, adding a sixth pitch to his deep mix. Teammate
Sonny Gray said Bello's arsenal is "gross," and manager Alex Cora credited the young pitcher for consistently developing ever since his debut season in 2022. The 26-year-old posted a career-best 3.35 ERA last year, but his FIP was a bit higher at 4.19. He continued to induce weak contact with a 49.8% ground ball rate and 0.86 HR/9. Bello projects as Boston's No. 4 starter behind
Garrett Crochet,
Ranger Suarez, and Gray.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jen McCaffrey
February 13, 2026
A first-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy was expected to take over as the team's unquestioned QB1 in 2025. However, the 23-year-old struggled mightily in his first chance to be an NFL starter this past season. Across 10 starts, McCarthy completed 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He was able to add some value with his legs, rushing for 181 yards and four touchdowns on 37 attempts. However, injuries and availability have also been a major issue for McCarthy. After missing his entire rookie year with a torn meniscus, McCarthy missed time in 2025 with a high-ankle sprain, a concussion, and a fractured hand. Heading into 2026, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has stated that the team aims to have a "competitive" quarterback situation in training camp. While McCarthy is still young and could still be the long-term answer in Minnesota, his fantasy stock in dynasty formats is trending in the wrong direction.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 13, 2026
Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos confirmed that right-hander
Grant Holmes (elbow) will be in the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Holmes dealt with a partially torn UCL in his right elbow late last season and missed the final two months, but he was able to avoid surgery and is now ready to rock for the start of the 2026 campaign. The 29-year-old went 4-9 with a 3.99 ERA (4.40 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with 123 strikeouts and 54 walks in 115 innings over 22 appearances (21 starts) before his elbow injury in his second year in the big leagues. Holmes will have a starting role to begin the year, but he'll be a major injury risk and a good bet to regress if his walk rate is anywhere near what it was in 2025 (11%). Fantasy managers in mixed leagues should avoid Holmes.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
February 13, 2026
Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos confirmed that right-hander
Reynaldo Lopez (elbow) will be in the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Lopez is healthy after having arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder last year that limited him to just one start. The 32-year-old Dominican was a first-time All-Star for the Braves in 2024 as he transitioned back to a starting role, posting a 1.99 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 148 strikeouts and 42 walks in 135 2/3 innings over 26 outings (25 starts). It was the first time that he went over 70 innings since 2019, and his 3.44 xFIP suggested he was a bit fortunate to have the numbers he did. The Braves will treat Lopez as a starter to begin the season, but he may end up back in the bullpen by the end of 2026. At the very least, fantasy managers should expect regression from his 2024 numbers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Gabe Burns
February 13, 2026
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired outfielder
Jesus Sanchez from the Houston Astros on Friday in exchange for outfielder
Joey Loperfido, general manager Dana Brown told The Athletic's Chandler Rome. It was a money-saving move for the Astros, with Sanchez owed $6.8 million in 2026, while Loperfido is making the league minimum. The move to acquire Sanchez will give Toronto more outfield depth, with
Anthony Santander (shoulder) potentially missing the entire season. The 28-year-old was traded to Houston from the Miami Marlins last year, and he hit just .199/.269/.342 down the stretch (48 games) with four home runs and 12 RBI. Sanchez's production was underwhelming despite a 43.4% hard-hit rate, 11.1% barrel rate, and 91.3 mph average exit velocity. He'll have a positive hitting environment in Toronto, but Sanchez might be ticketed for a platoon role in left field with the Jays. The acquisition of Sanchez is bad news for the lefty-hitting
Nathan Lukes.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
February 13, 2026
Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown commented on Friday, "We're not done yet," after completing the trade with the Blue Jays that brought outfielder
Joey Loperfido back to the organization that drafted him. The Astros have been in talks with multiple teams about possibly trading corner infielder
Isaac Paredes, who appears to be the odd man out in terms of regular at-bats, with
Carlos Correa expected to man third and
Christian Walker at first. Paredes had a good year in 2025 for the Astros despite missing significant time due to injury, blasting 20 home runs in just 102 games with a .353 wOBA and 128 wRC+. He looks like a decent value in drafts right now, currently ranked at 181 at RotoBaller, while the 26-year-old has an NFBC ADP of 193. Keep an eye out for news, as his landing spot could have a positive (Boston) or negative (Pittsburgh) impact on his fantasy value.
--Jarod RuppSource: Chandler Rome
February 13, 2026
Tennessee Titans quarterback
Cameron Ward (shoulder) sprained his right shoulder in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but the injury has not impacted his offseason training since he has been working mostly on footwork. However, ESPN's Turron Davenport writes that Ward's rehab, paired with learning offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's new offense, will likely be a challenge. The Titans are hoping that Daboll can help Ward make a Year 2 jump after he helped Bills QB
Josh Allen go from a raw rookie to an All-Pro. Ward showed flashes in his first year in the NFL and finished on a high note, but overall, he was too inconsistent and struggled with accuracy. The first overall pick in 2025 completed 59.8% of his passes for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while adding 159 rushing yards and two TDs in 17 starts. The good news is that Ward's throwing shoulder should be 100% for training camp this summer.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Turron Davenport
February 13, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent wide receiver
Mike Evans has not discussed his future with the team yet as an unrestricted free agent, but ESPN's Jenna Laine writes that Evans, 32, is "less likely to retire," based on conversations with those closest to him. The future Hall of Famer had the worst year of his career in 2025, thanks to a broken collarbone that limited him to just eight games. Evans finished his 12th year in the league with 30 receptions on 62 targets for 368 yards and three touchdowns. With limited time remaining in his NFL career, will he choose to go elsewhere for a better shot at a Super Bowl ring? It remains to be seen, but at the moment, he appears to be leaning toward returning for the 2026 season. The six-time Pro Bowler began his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons before last year's injury-plagued campaign. If he stays in Tampa in 2026, he should be the No. 1 wideout again, albeit in a crowded receiving room that also includes Chris Godwin,
Emeka Egbuka, and
Jalen McMillan.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jenna Laine
February 13, 2026
Outfielder
Joey Loperfido was sent from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Houston Astros on Friday in exchange for outfielder
Jesus Sanchez. Loperfido heads back to the team that drafted him back in 2021 and the team he debuted with in 2024. In 122 career games in the big leagues, the former seventh-round draft pick has slashed .248/.297/.392, but has some big power that could prove fantasy-worthy if he gets regular at-bats, although he'll likely begin the season in a platoon role. Sanchez has even bigger power, with 93rd-percentile bat speed, which produced the longest home run of the 2024 season, a 480-foot blast that came off the bat at 116.4 mph. The 28-year-old has some base-stealing ability, too, swiping 13 in 134 games last season, but the left-handed slugger struggles versus left-handed pitching (career .181 AVG), so he will likely be relegated to a platoon role early in the year as well. Without regular at-bats, neither player is draftable in most fantasy formats.
--Jarod RuppSource: Ben Nicholson-Smith
February 13, 2026
Chicago White Sox first baseman
Munetaka Murakami is expected to get some run at third base over the course of the season, per manager
Will Venable. Chicago's skipper stated that the Japanese slugger will play mostly first base, though, as the complementary pieces around him fit better that way. The 26-year-old's main position over the last few seasons has been the hot corner while playing for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), however, he played mostly first base during his first two years in the NPB (2019-20). He's eligible for both positions in Yahoo! leagues. The left-handed slugger is known for some big power that also comes with a lot of swing and miss, so he represents a high-risk, high-reward lottery ticket toward the end of 2026 fantasy drafts. Murakami is currently ranked 222 overall in RotoBaller's latest rankings, right around his NFBC ADP of 220.
--Jarod RuppSource: Scott Merkin
February 13, 2026
Baltimore Orioles infielder
Jordan Westburg (oblique) continues to rehab his strained oblique and feels "pretty good," per Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner. The 26-year-old Westburg missed large chunks of time in both 2024 and 2025 due to injury, so to pick up an injury already in the preseason is concerning, especially since the right-handed slugger stated that he tried to prepare his body this offseason so that he could avoid the injury bug this year. When on the field, though, the former 30th-overall draft pick has been productive, slashing .265/.312/.470 with a .336 wOBA and 120 wRC+ in 192 games over the last two years. Currently slotted in at third base for the O's, the Mississippi State product could also occupy second base for the injured
Jackson Holliday (hand) if need be, both of which he's position-eligible for on Yahoo!. As it stands, Westburg is not in jeopardy of missing Opening Day, but it's a situation to monitor. RotoBaller has him ranked at 139 overall for fantasy, a bit lower than his NFBC ADP of 128.
--Jarod RuppSource: Andy Kostka
February 13, 2026
Miami Marlins outfield prospect
Owen Caissie appears to be in a great position to claim a lead role in the Miami offense out of spring training. Caissie was the headliner piece in the trade that sent right-hander
Edward Cabrera to the North Side of Chicago earlier this winter. Caissie is now viewed as Miami's No. 3-ranked prospect and the overall No. 47 in baseball, per MLB.com. Last summer, the Cubs gave Caissie a brief taste of the majors, where he logged five hits over a 12-game stint. He spent most of the time with Triple-A Iowa, where he posted a .286/.386/.551 line with a strong .937 OPS across 99 games. During this stint, the outfitter swept five bags and added 22 round-trippers. Caissie is expected to compete for the starting job in the right field alongside
Griffin Conine and
Esteury Ruiz, both of whom have not shown consistent production in the majors. Given his prospect pedigree, Caissie appears to be the favorite to land a lead role in the Miami offense on Opening Day.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 13, 2026
Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect
Dylan Beavers is a name to closely monitor in spring training. Beavers reached Baltimore last summer and posted a modest .237/.375/.400 line over his brief 35-game stint. During this stretch, the California product hit four home runs and swiped two bases. In the minor leagues, Beavers showed five-category upside, which makes him an intriguing sleeper candidate heading into the 2026 season. Through 94 games at Triple-A prior to his MLB promotion, Beavers held a .304/.420/.515 line with a .935 OPS, 18 home runs, and 23 stolen bases. However, the 24-year-old is not guaranteed an everyday role in a crowded Baltimore offense. During camp, managers should expect him to compete for at-bats alongside
Tyler O'Neill,
Colton Cowser,
Taylor Ward, and
Leody Taveras. However, if he were to claim a lead role, he carries high-end sleeper appeal in the later rounds, given his ability to hit for power and show solid speed on the basepaths.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 13, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers center
Deandre Ayton (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Dallas and is considered day to day after imaging showed no structural damage. He has now missed two straight contests. In his absence on Thursday,
Jaxson Hayes started and delivered 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block in 34 minutes, making him the clear streaming option if Ayton remains sidelined.
Jarred Vanderbilt can chip in rebounds and defensive stats, but he is a fringe add. Ayton remains a hold in all formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Law Murray
February 13, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks top outfield prospect
Ryan Waldschmidt could have an easier path to crack the Opening Day roster following the injury to
Corbin Carroll (hand). With the team's top outfielder on the shelf with a fractured hamate bone and in serious danger of missing the start of the season, Waldschmidt could emerge as a top replacement if he has a productive spring training. Entering camp, Waldschmidt was identified as a potential candidate to make the Opening Day roster, and now, with a starting outfielder injured, his path becomes much clearer. The Kentucky product joined the Diamondbacks in the 2024 MLB Draft and quickly progressed through the system last summer. Through 134 games (shared between High-A and Double-A), Waldschmidt held a .289/.419/.473 line with 18 home runs and 29 stolen bases. Even though he does not have experience at Triple-A, a strong showing in camp could be enough to earn a spot in the Opening Day lineup.
--Andy SmithSource: Arizona Diamondbacks
February 13, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James delivered 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists in 35 minutes in Thursday's 124-104 win over Dallas, becoming the oldest player to record a triple-double. With
Luka Doncic (hamstring) sidelined and
Austin Reaves still ramping up, James has steadied the offense and kept the Lakers' role players slotted cleanly. Doncic's eventual return could trim James' usage slightly, but the 41-year-old remains a must-start given his current playmaking spike.
Rui Hachimura,
Jake LaRavia, and
Luke Kennard are the most likely to lose touches.
--Brian DailisanSource: Dan Woike
February 13, 2026
Kansas City Royals catching prospect
Carter Jensen is a top breakout candidate heading into the 2026 regular season. Jensen made his MLB debut later in the second half last summer and immediately flashed upside. Through his first 20 MLB games, the former third-round selection posted a .300/.391/.550 slash line with three long balls. Under the hood, Jensen's production was even more impressive as he generated an elite .447 xwOBA, .336 xBA, and a .633 xSLG. Earlier in the campaign, the 22-year-old looked just as dominant in the upper minor leagues, across 111 games shared between Double-A and Triple-A. In this stint, Jensen posted a .290/.377/.501 line with 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases. With Jensen ticked for a near every-day role, sharing time at DH and behind the dish, he possesses immense five-category upside at the catcher position in his first full season in the big leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 13, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Ja Morant (elbow) is ramping up, but the team still is not sure he will be ready to play coming out of the All-Star break, general manager Zach Kleiman said Friday. Morant has been sidelined since Jan. 21 with a UCL sprain and is due for a recheck soon. In the meantime,
Ty Jerome is the best streamer after logging 19 points and seven assists in 21 minutes Tuesday.
Scotty Pippen Jr. and
Cam Spencer round out the minutes, with steals and assists as their main appeal.
--Brian DailisanSource: Clay Bailey
February 13, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect
JR Ritchie is a name to closely monitor during spring training, as he could break camp with the MLB roster following the injury to
Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow). With Schwellenbach on the 60-day IL with an elbow injury, Ritchie could make a strong push to open camp in the starting rotation. Last summer, the team's No. 2-ranked prospect began the season at High-A and was able to progress through Triple-A by the second half. He looked sharp at High-A, logging 41 2/3 innings to the tune of a 1.30 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and a 38:10 K:BB. Across 98 1/3 innings at the upper levels (Double-A and Triple-A), Ritchie posted a 3.20 ERA with a solid 1.10 WHIP. While the Braves may turn to veterans like
Bryce Elder or
Martin Perez, Ritchie could make a strong case if he turns in a successful spring training.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
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